The election is on Tuesday, that’s just four days away (can I get a Hallelujah? Amen!) I have just about had my fill of Obama, McCain, and all things political. Makes it kind-of tough living in a political town, but what can you do? With all of the debates and the endless pointing-of-fingers going on, it’s easy to get frustrated and feel that the whole thing is senseless and not worth it. Sometimes it seems like nothing will change no matter who is voted into office and really, what’s the point?
(Images: wikipedia)
I’ve been feeling this way a lot in weeks of late. It has been compounded by the fact that the CPA and I were not able to register to vote by absentee ballot since we are new to this area. So instead, we will be standing in line for who knows how long just to cast our ballot for someone who may or may not win.
But you know what? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Even if I happen to be sick on Tuesday, I’m dragging my tired and weary bones out of bed and down to the polls so that I can have my say. Do you know how many people in other countries would give their right arm just to be able to vote in an election? And what about the right to vote as a woman? I found a list of countries that do not allow women to vote (gotta love wikipedia):
- Saudia Arabia – the first local elections were held in 2005, women have still not been granted the right to vote
- Lebanon – elementary education is required for women to vote
- Brunei – neither women nor men have been able to vote since 1962 (it is an absolute monarchy)
There are many other places where people are technically allowed to vote, but are not given options of who to vote for. It’s a scary thought to not be able to have the right to stand up and be counted. And yes I know ours is not a perfect system, especially when considering the issue of the electoral college vs. the popular vote. But at least we get to be heard and our votes can make a difference.
I realized how important this was to me recently when the CPA asked me if I had registered to vote. I told him “Of course” since I believed that I had filled out the paperwork at the DMV last year when I was getting my new license after getting married. But then I started to wonder, so I checked online and sure enough, I wasn’t registered. And wouldn’t you know it, it was the day before the deadline! So we quickly downloaded the form and my husband made sure it was postmarked the next day. A week ago I received my shiny, new voter registration card. What a relief – I would have been so upset to miss this opportunity and I’m grateful for it. It truly is an historical moment and I am glad to be a part of it.
Aren’t you?
RELATED POSTS:
A Little Friday Gratitude: The Right to Vote
A Little Friday Gratitude: Modern Medicine
A Little Friday Gratitude: Mother
A Little Friday Gratitude: Religion
Related Posts:
5 comments